ARCHITECTURAL

DESIGN THEORY
II
LECTURE 7
HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Different types of horizontal circulation systems

are:

Corridors
Verandahs
Vestibules
Passages
Lobbies
Entrance halls
Lounges

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Circulation spaces as connectors

All spaces in a spatial organization need to be
connected
No functional space exists in isolation
Spaces will be either directly or indirectly
connected

Through a door
Through a corridor, lobby, passage etc.

Such spaces have their own unique character

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Character of horizontal circulation spaces

These, as corridors, are linear spaces usually
meant exclusively for movement.
These, as lobbies and foyers, also allow the
possibility of group standing besides movement.
All these spaces need to be directional,
environmentally sound and provide interesting
visual experiences in movement.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Physical and Metaphysical facets of circulation spaces

These need to be of appropriate dimensions depending on the volume of

traffic and movement of objects.
There needs to be ample light and ventilation in such spaces.
There needs to be introduced some sense of visual excitement in such spaces
by

Change of volume
Change of Color
Change of Texture
Addition of paintings etc.
Change of light
Change of finishes

Walking in such spaces should not be boring.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Hierarchy of circulation spaces

This will entail an organization of spatial order that

accommodates the changing situations of movement:

Transition of vehicular to pedestrian porch

Transition from outside to inside entrance verandah
Transition to the inside entrance space
Movement to different spatial units corridors, passages etc.

Transition from the outside uncovered to the covered

but not enclosed to the covered and partially enclosed
to the totally covered and totally enclosed.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Note the uncovered unenclosed

circulation space.
Note the feeling of invitation in this
space

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

22nd april 2014

The linear nature of the corridor

gives direction.

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

A porch and an entrance space

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

A circulation cum
exhibition space.

An entrance space

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

10

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

A porch and entrance space

A dull corridor

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

11

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Circulation spaces within commercial buildings.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

12

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

13

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

A modern and a
traditional circulation
space.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

14

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
A traditional entrance and movement
cum seating space a verandah.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

15

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Entrance and circulation spaces in a resort.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

16

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Circulation spaces with
different expressions in
different situations inside a
hotel, around a courtyard and
an entrance to a building in a
resort.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

17

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
Note the quality of spaces that have
been designed for circulation
exclusively.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

18

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
The porches and the entrance lobby
Belong to different buildings, but
note their commonalities and
differences.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

19

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

All these spaces are meant for circulation

but each one has a different quality
of visual expression.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

20

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
The quality of the two corridors is
so different.
Try to analyze the reasons.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

21

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION
These are both entrance spaces

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

22

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Corridor spaces while being linear

Can be given different characters
with the objects of enclosure.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

23

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Observe the corridor and its

spatial quality

Note the entrance

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

24

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Note how direction can be changed in the line of movement.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

25

HORIZONTAL CIRCULATION

Conclusions
Designated movement spaces are essential for the efficient working of a
spatial organization.
These movement spaces connect the outside to the inside and also the
internal spaces either directly or indirectly.
There is a hierarchy to this spatial system.
These spaces must be directional.
These spaces should be of the appropriate size with respect to the function
and also the expression that needs to be generated through these.
These need to be environmentally sound i.e. from the viewpoint of light,
sound and air.
These spaces need to be made interesting visual and spatial experiences by
introducing variety in the quality of the enclosing objects or environmentally.

22nd april 2014

Sat Priya school of Architecture &

Design, Rohtak

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